Roman Censor

History, Facts and
Information about Roman Government and the Position of the
CensorThe office of
the Censor was regarded as the highest
dignity in the state. The Censors were two
in number, elected every five years, but
they held their office for a year and a
half.

They were
taken, as a general rule, from those who had previously been
Consuls. Their duties, which were very extensive and very
important, may be divided into three classes, all of which,
however, were closely connected and are described as
follows:

Roman Censor - Taking the
CensusThe first and
most important duty of the Censor was to
take the Census. This was not simply a list
of the population, according to the modern
use of the word, but a valuation of the
property of every Roman citizen.

History, Facts and information about the office of the Roman Censor *** The times and people of Ancient Rome *** The society, politics and life of the Romans *** Roman Censor *** Life and Government of Ancient Rome *** Roman Censor power and duties *** Ancient history, facts and interesting information about the Romans *** Role and Duties - Taking the Censor, control over conduct, morals and state finances and taxes

Roman Censor

This valuation was
necessary, not only for the assessment of the property-tax,
but also for determining the position of every
citizen in the state, which was regulated, in accordance
with the constitution of Servius Tullius, by the amount of
his property. Accordingly, the Censors had to draw up lists
of the Classes and Centuries. They also made out the lists
of the Senators and Equites, striking out the names of all
whom they deemed unworthy, and filling up all vacancies in
the Senate.

Roman Censor - Control
over Conduct and MoralsThe Censors possessed a general control over the
conduct and morals of the citizens. In the exercise of this
important power they were not guided by any rules of law,
but simply by their own sense of duty. They punished acts of
private as well as public immorality, and visited with their
censure not only offences against the laws, but every thing
opposed to the old Roman character and habits, such as
living in celibacy, extravagance, luxury, etc. They had the
power of degrading every citizen to a lower rank, of
expelling Senators from the Senate, of depriving the Equites
of their horses, and of removing ordinary citizens from
their tribes, and thus excluding them from all political
rights.

Roman Censor -
Administration of Finances The Censors also had the administration of the finances
of the state, under the direction of the Senate. They let
out the taxes to the highest bidders for the space of a
lustrum, or five years. They likewise received from the
Senate certain sums of money to keep the public buildings,
roads, and aqueducts in repair, and to construct new
public works in Rome and other parts of Italy. Hence we find
that many of the great public roads, such as the Via Appia
and Via Flaminia, were made by Censors.

Roman CensorThe content of this Roman Censor
category on life in Ancient Rome provides free educational
details, facts and information for reference and research
for schools, colleges and homework. Refer to the
Colosseum Sitemap for a comprehensive search on interesting
different categories containing the history, facts and
information about Ancient Rome.

History, Facts and information about the office of the Roman Censor *** The times and people of Ancient Rome *** The society, politics and life of the Romans *** Life and Government of Ancient Rome *** Roman Censor *** Roman Censor power and duties *** Ancient history, facts and interesting information about the Romans *** Role and Duties - Taking the Censor, control over conduct, morals and state finances and taxes